Colgate Faces 2028 Trial Over 'Recyclable' Tube Claims

A federal judge has slated April 10, 2028, for a jury trial concerning a class-action lawsuit against Colgate-Palmolive. The litigation centers on allegations that the company misrepresented the recyclability of its toothpaste tubes, which were advertised with statements like "recyclable tube" and the chasing arrows symbol. This case, initiated in 2023 by three consumers in the Northern District of California, is currently in its discovery phase.

Attorneys in the case intend to subpoena material recovery facilities (MRFs) and waste management companies operating in California, including prominent services like WM and Republic Services, to gather more information. This follows a July decision where the judge denied Colgate-Palmolive's request to appeal the class certification for the lawsuit. The company has stated it invested significant resources into developing a recyclable tube primarily from #2 HDPE plastic, asserting these tubes are indeed recycled within California.

However, plaintiffs contend that the MRFs processing recyclables from California do not accept these tubes, and that consumers paid a premium for products based on these allegedly false claims. They also argue that widespread toothpaste tube recycling is not accessible to most California residents. Colgate-Palmolive counters that the plaintiffs lack definitive proof of the prices paid or the ultimate destination of their recyclables, and points to a footnote on its website acknowledging local variations in recycling acceptance.